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Windows
November 10, 2023
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FPC’s mission focus for November is targeting two needs voiced by our mission partners in Brazil: closing the financial gap for the poorest students in the school and purchasing a freezer for the school’s kitchen.
We are grateful to God for our longstanding partnership with Felipe Camarão Presbyterian Church in Natal Brazil and the Bethel School that is adjacent to the church. Funding the school’s construction in 2003-04 and supporting operations since then, the school is a beacon of hope in the community, providing an excellent pre-school and early elementary education for 130 of this poor community’s most needy children each year. Without the school, many of these students would fall through the cracks, with some predicted to drop out of school as early as 3rd grade. But instead, we see our students move on from Bethel well prepared and motivated to continue their education, with many completing high school and some going on to college.
No tuition is charged to attend the school; however, to encourage involvement and ownership in the educational process, families of students are expected to contribute an amount R$320 (equivalent to approximately US$80) at the start of the Brazilian school year in January. This fee covers the costs for textbooks, workbooks, uniforms, and educational supplies for the entire year. With careful planning, most families are able pay this and do so gratefully, but there are about twenty families for whom this amount is simply unattainable. School Director Rosângela spoke about this when she and her husband Pastor João Batista visited Bristol in August. In previous years, the teachers and administration have scrambled to find ways to cover these unbudgeted costs. This year, FPC’s Missions and Outreach Committee deemed it worthy of our attention to help raise the funds to purchase the necessary supplies and uniforms for these students.
Now, to the freezer! We all know that nutrition plays an important role in a student’s success. João Batista works with various organizations in the region and receives regular commodity distributions of fresh fruits and vegetables, sometimes unexpectedly. For example, in the summer they received on short notice a truckload of mangoes! Even after distributing to the church and school families and many neighbors around the church, without freezer storage some of this produce goes to waste, when it could have been stored and used throughout the year to feed the students. Our first priority is assisting with the student fees for the coming school year (~$1,600). Funds over this amount will go toward the freezer purchase. The total needed to fully fund both projects is around US$2,900. When making your donation please note “November Brazil Mission Focus.”
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Worship
November 12
24th Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture
First Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 Second Epistle Reading: Revelation 21:22-27
Sermon
“Through Jesus, Part 2”
Rev. Samuel Weddington
Last Sunday's Attendance
9:00: In person: 157
11:00: In person: 117
9:00: Online: 141
11:00: Online: 103
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Calendar
Saturday, November 11
7:00 p.m.
Read and Feed Ladies’s Event, Sarah Gannaway’s house
Sunday, November 12
9:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship, FH
9:30 a.m.
Handbell Practice, Sanctuary
10:20 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
3:00 p.m.
Children’s Play Rehearsal, Sanctuary
6:00 p.m.
Student Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
Monday, November 13
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting, Rm 123
6:00 p.m.
Scout District Committee Mtg, FH
7:00 p.m.
Worship Committee, Rm 123
Tuesday, November 14
7:00 p.m.
Troop 3, Scout Hall
Wednesday, November 15
5:30 p.m.
Fellowship Supper, Fellowship Hall
6:15 p.m.
Adult Enrichment, Chapel
6:15 p.m.
Student Small Groups
6:15 p.m.
Wednesday Night Kids
7:15 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice, Room 202
7:15 p.m.
Praise Team Practice, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, November 16
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study, Parlor
9:00 a.m.
Mom’s Bible Study Rm 37
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study, Room 123
Saturday, November 18
7:30 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast
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 |  | First Presbyterian Church has periodically traveled to the city of Natal in northeast Brazil over more than twenty years to visit our partner churches in the poor neighborhoods of Felipe Camarão and Cidade Nova, as well as the Bethel School that serves more than 130 children grades Pre- K through 3rd in the Felipe Camarão community. Our mission each visit is to encourage and support the pastors, school staff, and congregations, along with students and their families, during a week's worth of activities and opportunities for meaningful worship and interaction. Our next trip is tentatively scheduled for May 24 – June 3, 2024 and is open to all adults, high school juniors or seniors (with accompanying parent/responsible adult), and college students. Is God calling you to join the team for the first time (or a next time) to see firsthand how God is at work in these communities? Is God calling you to support this partnership in other ways? If so, join us for an information session on Sunday, November 12 at 10:20 a.m. in the Chapel to learn more!
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Nominations for deacon, elder and a trustee for 2024 ends November 26. This year we are nominating 5 deacons, 5 elders and 1 trustee. You can nominate qualified people using the paper nomination forms at the entrances of the worship spaces or email the name and why you think they are qualified to be a deacon, elder or trustee to nominations@fpcbristol.org or vote using this form. | |
Please join the women of First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 11th, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. for delicious soups, salads and desserts. After lunch, warm fellowship and discussion will nurture and feed your soul, as we will hear from some of our friends about the spiritual nourishment they have received from books and other readings. Remember to RSVP to Sarah Gannaway at stgannaway@yahoo.com by November 8th to receive the location and parking details. | |
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Next Wednesday Fellowship
Join us for our next session on Wednesday, November 15th! The topic is open, so come for fellowship and discussion. As always, all are welcome to participate. Join us Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. for our fellowship supper and stay for programming for youth age groups at 6:15 p.m.
If you don't already participate in a Home Group, please sign up here. Access the resume on our website or watch for it to drop on our Home Groups Facebook site. If you need help finding or starting a Home Group, please email Dave Welch.
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Parents of FPC Bristol, we would like to inform you of an opportunity for your kids to be an active part of our church worship! Our acolyte program is returning and kids in the fusion class up to kids age of 14 can participate! The fusion class held training Sunday the 5th, and the older youth have an opportunity to receive training on Sunday November 12th during Sunday School hour. If you or your kids are interested in the program, please contact Tom Meredith at tom.meredith@holstonit.com to sign up or if you have any questions! Acolytes will be serving during the beginning and end of the 11am worship service beginning Christ The King Sunday (November 26th). | |
Join us for a delightful gingerbread house decorating event at 6:15 p.m. on November 29th! After the Wednesday night supper, we'll gather in the fellowship hall to unleash our creativity and indulge in a festive treat for the senses. Indulge in the festive spirit by sampling delicious gingerbread cookies and crafting your own gingerbread houses! | |
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As we each seek to follow Jesus in the FPC church family, may we prayerfully consider how God is calling us to serve and financially support the work of the church toward reaching the $785,000 goal in faithful response to the love of God found in Jesus Christ. Join us in the campaign this month to reach that goal, and let’s look together to the joy of Stewardship Sunday, November 23, 2023 when we will gather in worship, remember what the Lord has done for us, and dedicate ourselves to the work the Lord has places before us. What a joy it is to live and serve together! To God be the glory!
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Let’s Get Connected! In Our New Online Church Directory
There is still time! Everyone who is a member or attends worship services on a regular basis is invited and encouraged to participate. Our data source for the directory will be Realm®, the church management software platform our church already uses for our membership database and giving records. (All giving information is completely secure and is not available to anyone other than the giver and FPC’s Business Administrator.) Those with online capabilities will access the directory from a computer and/or smart phone after setting up a personal Realm account. Those without online access can chose to have their information updated/included for them and will be provided with a paper copy of the directory. Whether you are a technical genius, have never touched a computer or smart phone, or are somewhere in between – we want you to join us in the directory. ONLY members of the FPC community who chose to participate will have access to the online directory. By electing to be in the directory, your name will be visible to everyone with directory access. If you decide to add a photo to your profile, the photo will be visible as well. As you set up your personal Realm account, you can choose to limit visibility of other personal information such as address, phone number(s), email address(es).
READY? - CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED
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Memorials and honoraria are published in the newsletter only after the family has been personally notified by our business office. Today we gratefully acknowledge the following gifts in memory of:
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Dave Whitesides: to the FPC’s Boy Scout Troop 3 Fund Ann Abel, from Lou Anne Cogburn & family and from Peggy Hill.
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 | | Josef Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) was an Austrian composer and organist, best known for his symphonies and sacred music. His symphonies are considered emblematic of the late Austro-German Romantic period, with their rich harmony, strong polyphony, and considerable length. Bruckner's compositions also helped define contemporary musical radicalism, with their dissonances, unprepared modulations, and roving harmonies. Unlike other musical radicals such as Wagner and Wolf, Bruckner was very humble before other musicians, especially Wagner. This apparent dichotomy between the man and the composer complicates efforts to portray his life in a straightforward way. Hans von Bülow famously described him as "half genius, half simpleton." Bruckner was critical of his own work and often revised his compositions, resulting in multiple versions of many of his pieces. Bruckner's organ works are few and date mostly from his early years. His "Prelude, Fugue" (opening voluntary) and "Postlude" (closing voluntary) lack the maturity of his later works, but they do provide some insight into the serious nature of the young composer. His "Prelude in C Major" (our offertory today) dates from 1884 and is a prime example of Bruckner's mature style. - Bob Greene
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In Our Prayers
We have several unnamed or private requests. Please pray for the members of our community who wish to remain anonymous.
Ann Abel
Patsy Adams
Ricky Adams
Kelsey Allerton
Ginger Alvarado
Fitz Anderson
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Laura Ann Buckles
Rachel & Ben Cherry & Dean Millard
Bill Coleman
Barbara Daniel
Christy Doll
Kathleen Dotterweich
Frances Emerson
Debbie Garritson
John Graham Sr.
Lou Hebb
Jessica & Michael Hicks
Betsy Tate Kegley
Patty King
Mardia Long
Dot Mattison
Montana Indian Ministries
Wynn Murthy
National & International Leadership
Lee North
Billie Peterson
Pastor Bruce Plummer
Cora Lee Raccioppo
Harold Rutherford
Teachers & school administrators
Adrienne Teague
Loretta Thomas
Those suffering with addiction
Julia Torbert
Debbie Turner
Bill & Patsy Ward
Ann Woods
Bill Woods
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The session continues to encourage masks for those at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 or not fully vaccinated. The session encourages everyone to consult their medical professional about vaccinations and boosters. | |
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Wednesday of the week of publication is the deadline for contributions to Windows. Subscribe to our free e-newsletter by sending your name and preferred email address to the editor. Livestream our worship services and other activities at FPC Bristol on YouTube. Click on the link and hit Subscribe to receive notifications of new videos. Find us on Facebook at FPC Bristol. Several accounts will show up. “Like” the page or ask to join a group.
We encourage you to use text, mail, or our website to safely continue your faithful support of our ministries. Give online here; choose a fund from the drop-down menu. Text fpcbristol to 73256 to send your pledge, offering, or special gift to the church. Messages and data rates may apply. Message varies frequency. Text HELP to 73256 for help. Text STOP to 73256 to cancel. If you prefer, you may mail your contribution to the church.
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701 Florida Avenue | Bristol, TN 37620 | 423-764-7176 | fpcbristol.org | | | | |
